The Turning by Gloria Whelan

Author:Gloria Whelan
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781497673854
Publisher: Open Road Media

CHAPTER 7

MAKING TROUBLE FDR GREGORY

The next morning when we entered the practice room, there was a feeling of suspense in the air. We guessed that at last we would hear the news we had been waiting for. Maxim Nikolayevich gathered the entire ballet troupe together to tell us that the tour would be going to Paris in August. “First we will take the train to Moscow, where we will stay for two days. That will give us an opportunity to attend a performance of the Bolshoi. We will see how ballet is meant to be performed.” Maxim Nikolayevich gave us a wicked smile, for the competition between our Kirov Ballet and Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet was legendary. Maxim Nikolayevich would have fought anyone who suggested we were not better than the Bolshoi.

“Unfortunately,” he told us, “we will not be able to take the entire troupe. That makes me very sad, but remember this: Although all of you will not go, your hearts will go with us and will help us to give a performance that will bring Paris to its knees. As for those of you who are going, in the next months you will curse your fate, for you will work until you wish you had never been chosen. If it is a question of working you to death or giving a mediocre performance, you will be worked to death. Depend upon it.”

That afternoon the list of the lucky ones who would go on the tour was posted. As we jostled one another to read the list, there were cries of joy and tears. My name was on the list, and so were Vera’s and Marina’s, but Vitaly’s name was not there. Before we could comfort him, he ran out of the practice hall. I ran after him, but he called over his shoulder, “Just leave me alone.”

We had known a choice would have to be made between Vitaly and Gregory, but we had all been sure Vitaly would be chosen, for he was clearly the better dancer. If talent had been the criterion, Vitaly would be going to Paris, but Gregory had started a malicious rumor. He had whispered to Madame that Vitaly was negotiating secretly to join the Bolshoi in Moscow. Of course there was no truth to the rumor, but Madame believed Gregory because he flattered her shamelessly, begging her to tell him stories of the days when she had been a ballerina. He would coax her to bring out her scrapbook with its clippings of her performances. “You must have had lovers by the dozens,” he would tease Madame, and she would blush. When Madame was out of sight, Gregory would make fun of her, calling her an “old cow.” We guessed that Madame, who had a weakness for flattery, had believed the rumor. Thinking that Vitaly would use his trip to Paris only as leverage to join our rival, the Bolshoi, Madame would have backed Gregory over Vitaly. We all thought it unfair; even Marina

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